Michael Rush
September 11, 2014
Michael Rush, 70, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Michael was born in Des Moines, IA to Guy and Ann Rush. He graduated from Dowling High School and went on to serve in the U.S. Army. It was while he was stationed in Germany that he met his wife of 45 years Marlene Stelzer. Michael was self-employed most of his life owning investment properties and a cleaning business.
Michael was a loving and sweet man with a very strong faith and a love for reading the Bible. He shared his faith with anyone who walked through his doors. Visitors could expect to be invited to sit and talk about Jesus at the kitchen table as any friend of his daughters, neighbor, cleaning lady or home health care worker could testify. He often quoted scripture and wanted everyone to know the love of Jesus and be saved.
An academic who studied history and theology, Michael valued education and was once invited to join Mensa, the high IQ society. Michael built the family home by applying what he learned from reading a “how to” book.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene; daughters, Nicole (Mike) Gathercole and Jackie Moberg; grandchildren, Kayla, Rae, Avery, and Adeline; his siblings, Betty Ann Lile, Guy Rush, and his twin sister, Judith Rush Daniel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made at the funeral home and directed to Mercy Hospice - Johnston where the nursing staff helped Dad prepare for heaven in a peaceful and dignified way. We are particularly grateful to Jan, Noreen, and Hannah (who has clearly found her calling as God’s servant).
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 16 at 2 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 8301 Aurora Ave. in Urbandale, IA. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Jay Fagen
09/16/2014
Nicole and Jackie, I guess I don't know why I felt such a pull to both of you for your loss. Maybe when we get older we hold on to our past more. We all had a great childhood and I wish that it was possible for us to just go back and spend one day of it again. I would be first in line. We lived in a great neighborhood with good people and we were safe.It hurts losing those you love. I wanted to spend more time with you guys and talk, but life is what it is, run, run, run. It was so nice to see you both. God Bless. If you ever want to keep in touch Jay Fagen 515-795-6030
Henneman Family
09/15/2014
Our thoughts and prayers go to the Rush family, to Judith, Karol and Kristen. May you be comforted with the knowledge that his journey in life, beautiful though it may have been, is nothing in comparison to the beauty he now embraces.
Tom and Jackie Moberg
09/15/2014
So sorry for your loss. Though we didn't know Mike very well, he was always very nice and went out of his way to talk with us.